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This page is about the history and contemporary interpretation of the Liverpolitan identity. For the accent and dialect of Liverpool, see Scouse.

Liverpolitan

Royal Liver Building and Cunard Building, Liverpool city centre

Liverpool City Region location within Great Britain

Liverpolitan is an associated and historic adjective and demonym of Liverpool, a city in North West England. It may refer to:

• A native or inhabitant of Liverpool.

• Anything from or related to the city of Liverpool.

The term has also been discussed by journalists and political commentators to mean “a native or inhabitant of Liverpool City Region incorporating the boroughs of Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral or "anything from or related to the city of Liverpool or the Liverpool City Region". This discussion has taken place with some controversy and political speculation.

The Liverpolitan demonym is not used exclusively to describe natives of Liverpool. Since the mid-20th century, it has been largely eclipsed by the better known Scouse identity. This identity has become closely associated to the accent and dialect of the city (and some surrounding areas), which became exceptionally more distinguishable in the late 19th century.

Etymology

The word 'Liverpolitan' has its roots in the Victorian era. During this period, Liverpool was one of the world's most important ports at the height of Britain's global economic and imperial significance. The local population's distinctive perspective and frame of mind was influenced by far-reaching social changes combined with the building of grand architecture and rapid progress in technology (such as steamships and railway locomotives).

Liverpool was a crucial contributor to Britain's overseas trading economy and consequently, mercantile business and commerce was a source of considerable local pride. During this heyday, the word 'Liverpolitan' was commonly used to refer to inhabitants of the city, with intentional overtones of a 'great global metropolis'.

Origins

19th century

In the 19th century, Liverpool was a city contrasted by social and economic inequality. On the one hand, the city was characterised by the booming port with global reach across the British Empire, discernible commercial aspiration, new grand architecture and large-scale wealth. On the other hand, by the second half of the century, the reputation of the city became synonymous with high mortality rates, high crime, lawlessness, drunkenness and disease. Low paid dock workers, poor housing and unsanitary living conditions had become a reality amongst the city's poorer classes.

In his 2012 book, Scouse: A Social and Cultural History, Tony Crowley argues that throughout the 19th century, 'Liverpolitan' was used as a formal term to refer to inhabitants of Liverpool. He argued that the term befitted a contemporary viewpoint in which many regarded Liverpool as 'Venice of the North'. Such a view romanticised Liverpool as a place of booming docks, sailing ships, impressive and imposing architecture.

Belchem argues that during Liverpool's 'Victorian glory days', Liverpool was set apart from other provincial English cities. As an international gateway and world city, he argues that Victorian 'Liverpolitans' held the spirit of commerce in higher regard compared to industry. The expression 'Liverpool gentlemen, Manchester man' has been used as an expression to convey this concept. Belchem describes Victorian Liverpool as a quasi independent state with its own office in London to promote the interests of Liverpool as the 'second metropolis'. He further argues that during the 20th century, Liverpool fell in to rapid decline as the ‘shock city’ of post-industrial Britain. He makes the distinction between Victorian Liverpolitans and the 20th century 'Liverpudlians' who had the “propensity for mawkish self-pity, indulging in a self-image of put-upon miserablist isolationism.”

20th century

Tony Crowley argues that up until the 1950s, inhabitants of Liverpool were generally referred to by a number of demonyms. However, Crowley argues that there was a debate in the mid 20th century between the two rival terms of 'Liverpolitan' and 'Liverpudlian'.

In 1950, an anonymous feature writer known as the 'Postman' wrote in the Liverpool Daily Post and the Liverpool Mercury to denounce the Liverpolitan identity: “Liverpudlian means an inhabitant of the Pool of Liver, which of course, is Liverpool. Liverpolitan, on the other hand means an inhabitant of the city of Liver, or Liverpolis, which does not exist. Whether euphemistically or not, therefore, Liverpool people are Liverpudlians.”

In 1958, Frank Shaw, author of Lern Yerself Scouse: how to Talk Proper in Liverpool, suggested that there were two types of Liverpool inhabitant who were demarcated according to social class: The Liverpolitan and the Liverpudlian. In 1971, Shaw further asserted that Liverpolitans were identified with "posh or snotty types living in the better suburbs (say, Mossley Hill)". They were "more pretentious in their social habits, professing higher cultural aspirations than their own humble origins usually justified". In the late 1950s, Shaw further argued that Liverpolitans would not talk about being 'Scouse' and were more likely to be a member of the 'bay window' classes. Conversely, Shaw argued in 1971 that the Liverpudlian was the "real Scouser". According to Crowley, Shaw intended these differentiations to be humourous.

21st century

Liverpool city region identity

Steve Rotheram, the first ever Mayor of the Liverpool City Region acknowledges the Liverpolitan identity but has suggested that it is not 'universally accepted' across the Liverpool City Region.

We speak with many accents but because we have devolution and a Metro Mayor, we can now speak with one voice.
It's not universally that we all feel that we are part of this Liverpolitan identity. I would love everybody to feel that they are part of a city region though.

Steve Rotheram,
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region,
BBC Radio Merseyside, 13 March 2024

In the 21st century, the city of Liverpool and surrounding Liverpool City Region have seen substantial levels of devolution. Powers and responsibilities over the economy, infrastructure, health, wellbeing and strategic planning have been transferred from the UK government to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Mayor of the Liverpool City Region. Within this context, the Liverpolitan identity has been reinterpreted in the media, by local politicians and political commentators.

In the 21st century, the term 'Liverpolitan' is the proposed adjective and demonym of the entire Liverpool City Region. Since the area's national and international profile has emerged and grown, the word has been used to describe a native or inhabitant of the Liverpool City Region. Its usage within this context has been conceptualised, supported and criticised.

In their 2011 report Rebalancing Britain: Policy or Slogan, Lord Michael Heseltine and Sir Terry Leahy considered opportunities available to grow the emerging Liverpool City Region over the following ten to twenty years. After discussions with a range of stakeholders which included Liverpool City Council, surrounding local authorities, businesses and community groups, Heseltine and Leahy recommended that “The so-called ‘Liverpolitan Diaspora’ should be provided with a formal structure and opportunity to help their home city region with investment leads, expertise, advice and intelligence.”

In 2016, the Liverpool Echo revealed that the word 'Liverpolitan' was being used to refer to anyone from anywhere in the Liverpool City Region and would tap into the growing political unity of Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. It was argued that adopting the phrase would temper existing tensions within the concerned localities and would negate the need to refer to those living on the outskirts of Liverpool with the pejorative term of 'wools' or 'woolybacks'. Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson argued against the idea suggesting that the term 'Scouser' was positive for the city's identity and was similar to nicknames associated with other cities and regions throughout the United Kingdom. Mayor Anderson argued that the 'Scousers versus Wools' narrative could be divisive, but should be viewed as harmless.

In 2017, shortly after the inauguration of Steve Rotheram as the first Liverpool City Region Mayor, Jonathan Heywood at City Monitor argued that Steve Rotheram's first challenge was to address Liverpool's 'out of date' boundary issues to better integrate the city with its neighbouring communities in order to present a united front. Heywood argued that opening a 'City Region Assembly' would strengthen and secure the long term role of city region mayor and the concept of 'a shared Liverpolitan project.'

In 2021, 39 elected councillors across the six districts of the Liverpool City Region were surveyed about the Liverpolitan identity. The survey revealed that most councillors in the city region did not identify with being a Liverpolitan, however, 46 percent either definitely did identify with the term or were neutral about it. Most councillors were fairly sure that their ward residents would be neutral about the subject. The survey also revealed major differences between councillors who believed the term was a positive or negative statement and those who thought it should definitely be promoted or left alone. Those who did not identify with the Liverpolitan identity were more unsure overall on how to answer the various survey questions whilst those who definitely identified as Liverpolitan were generally more confident that their position was beneficial to the city region and its people.

Other demonyms

Throughout history, there have been a number of different terms used to refer to inhabitants of Liverpool. They are as follows:

• Liverpoldon (17th century)
• Leeirpooltonian (17th Century)
• Liverpolitan (19th century to present)
• Liverpudlian (19th century to present)
• Dicky Liver, Dicky O'Sam, Dicky Sam, Dicky Mint, Tilly Mint (19th to 20th century)
• Whacker (or wacker) (19th and 20th century)
• Scouser (20th century to present)

Comparisons with other demonyms

The 'Scouse identity' became predominant amongst local people in the mid 20th century. Its etymology is based on the traditional dish known as Scouse.

Since the mid 20th century, the pre-eminent moniker for Liverpool's inhabitants is 'Scouser'. The identity is now firmly associated with the accent and dialect of Liverpool, as well as the popular local dish by the same name which was brought to the area by sailors travelling through Liverpool's port. Over time, the Scouse identity has become entrenched within the local culture and has been intensified by those who identify more with Liverpool's maritime history and connections to overseas than they do to England itself, or the English establshment. The identity has also been adopted in the surrounding areas of Liverpool, most notably in Sefton and Knowsley, and to a lesser degree on the Wirral and in St Helens.

However, John Belchem, author of Merseypride: Essays in Liverpool Exceptionalism, argues that during the early 19th century, scouse was only seen as a source of sustenance amongst poor people in Liverpool's workhouses and was rarely used as a label to identify inhabitants of the town. Belchem argues that up until the late 1880s, there was no exceptional 'Scouse accent' and serious phonetic studies made no distinction between the town of Liverpool and surrounding countryside. Scholars suggested that Liverpool spoke like the rest of south Lancashire. During the 19th century, Belchem argues that Liverpool residents were referred to as Liverpolitans (as a genteel inflexion). 'Liverpudlian' was also used in addition to a series of nicknames using the forename of 'Dick' (in reference to the mythical 'Liver Bird', an emblem of the town, which was seen as a 'guardian of shipping, sailors, commerce, merchandise and prosperity'. Nicknames included 'Dick Liver' and 'Dicky Sam', as a reflection of the growing importance of American influences in the town.

Belchem asserts that once Dicky Sam gradually fell out of use in the 1930s and 1940s, the terms 'Liverpudlian' and 'whacker' continued to be used interchangeably as the prominent and common forms of address amongst locals. Belchem suggests it was comedic radio presenters such as 'Frisby Dike' who brought the Liverpool identity to a national audience, which in turn encouraged locals to be gradually known as 'scousers'. By the time that Frank Shaw's My Liverpool', a celebration of 'Scousetown was published in 1971, Belchem argues that 'Scouser' had firmly become the dominant demonym.

Furthermore, in his article Sonic geography, place and race in the formation of local identity: Liverpool and Scousers, Philip Boland also cites 'Dicky Sam' as an early colloquialism for Liverpool people, in particular those born near St Nicholas' church in Liverpool city centre. Boland also cited 'Liverpolitan' as an early term. He argued that during the 1950s, the term 'Scouser' became popularised through comedy and light entertainment performers on radio and television such as Frank Shaw, Fritz Spiegl and Stan Kelly, who promoted 'Scouse lingo.' 'Scouser songs' were also performed in musical halls. Boland asserts that during this time, Liverpool people were also referred to as 'whackers'.

According to a 2017 Liverpool Echo article, historians generally agree that the term 'Scouser' started to become widely known in the mid-20th century. There is a consensus amongst historians that one of the preferred terms predating it was 'Liverpolitan'. In their book, Liverpool: The First 1,000 Years, historians Arabella McIntyre-Brown and Guy Woodland have argued that Liverpolitan remains the correct term for Liverpool inhabitants as it "makes more sense linguistically", compared to the alternative term of 'Liverpudlian'. Martin Greaney, author of Liverpool: A Landscape History, also argues that Liverpolitan was the preferred term for Liverpool people during the city's zenith as a leading port city in the 19th century. He argues that 'Liverpudlian' was an alternative term for a "lower-born member of the great unwashed, if the word was acknowledged at all.” Furthermore, in his University of Liverpool thesis The rise and fall of Liverpool sectarianism: An investigation into the decline of sectarian antagonism on Merseyside, Keith Daniel Roberts also concurred that although the stew known as scouse existed in the 18th century, the word ‘Scouser’ as a local identifier was not known until after the terms ‘Liverpolitan', ‘Dicky Sam’ and ‘Whacker’ were already well established.

In popular culture

Throughout history, references to the Liverpolitan identity have appeared in popular culture:

• On the urban policy website City Monitor (owned by the New Statesman Media Group), journalists including Dave Mail and Jonathan Heywood have produced articles discussing the Liverpolitan identity. The identity has been discussed within the context of the Liverpool city region and its 'growing economy and international profile'.

• In the 1930s, a monthly periodical known as the Liverpolitan produced articles discussing Liverpool's politics and economy. The periodical has been described as 'conservative' and 'middle-brow'.

In 2007, journalist and broadcaster Liam Fogarty promoted the Liverpolitan identity to a live radio audience.

• In 2007, in a live debate on BBC Radio Merseyside to celebrate Liverpool's 800th birthday, writer and broadcaster Liam Fogarty advocated that the term Liverpolitan should be used in favour of Scouser. Fogarty argued that the term Scouser had negative connotations. The panel of guests included actor and comic Pauline Daniels and Dr Rob McDonald reader in architecture at Liverpool John Moores University.

• In 2016, Southport Visiter published the article 'Would you consider yourself a 'Liverpolitan'? in reference to a Liverpool city region identity.

• In 2021, during the Mayor of Liverpool election, Katie Burgess stood as the candidate representing the Conservative Party. During her campaign, Burgess described herself as a 'Liverpolitan born and bred'.

• In the 2020s, an online magazine called Liverpolitan was launched to cover analysis and comment on the Liverpool City Region.

• In 2023, a business, property and development event hosted by Place North West, was held to discuss Liverpool's freeport, investment zone, 'internationally recognised' brand and extensive pipeline of development projects. The term 'Liverpolitan' was used throughout the event in reference to Liverpool city region’s strength of brand.

• A series of events known as the 'Liverpolitan Tweed Run' have been held in Liverpool as an outing for bicycle riders.

• In the 'This Is My City' series of the Liverpool Echo, the actor Michael Starke explained how he disliked the term 'Scouser'. The reporter retorted with the alternative demonyms Liverpudlian or Liverpolitan.

Quotes

In 1957, the author George Chandler wrote:

"Is it not a political example for all the world that the descendants of the Normans, Anglo-Saxons, Irish, Welsh, Scots and Vikings who have peopled Liverpool are now united in a common pride in being Liverpolitans?"

In the 'Notes on News' section of the Burnley Express on Saturday 8 September 1900, a contributor wrote:

"Hitherto inhabitants of the city of Liverpool have been called 'Liverpudlians', or 'Dicky Sams'. There is a tendency manifesting itself, says a correspondent, with the increasing size and importance of the city to substitute, as a class name, 'Liverpolitans'. It is time that we got ride of the 'puddle' said a member of the City Council on Wednesday. The Mersey is not a puddle, and Liverpool is becoming metropolitan in size."